Cameron expects to settle UK’s EU issues in 2016

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday he believes he can secure changes to Britain’s membership in the European Union next year that will persuade U.K. voters to say Yes in a referendum.

“I believe that 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital, fundamentally changing the U.K.’s relationship with the EU, finally addressing the concerns of the British people about our membership,” Cameron said at the end of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

The heads of state will meet again in February to settle questions of Britain’s desire to redefine its membership.

“Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we remain or leave. It is a choice we will all need to think hard about. But I believe if we can get these reforms right — I believe we can — I firmly believe for our economic security and increasingly for our national security the best future for Britain is in a reformed European Union,” the Conservative leader told reporters.

The prime minister allowed himself some wiggle room around the February deadline, saying “what matters is the substance, not the timing,” but adding he had detected a willingness at dinner with EU leaders on Thursday night to work towards “solutions, not compromises.”